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2016 NHL Draft: Live from Buffalo, Round 1

by
Michael Smith
/ Carolina Hurricanes

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The first day of the 2016 NHL Draft is here, and CarolinaHurricanes.com is live in Buffalo to bring you comprehensive coverage presented by Buffalo Brothers. For the first time in Hurricanes history, the team holds two first-round picks: 13th and 21st overall.

Below you will find all the latest news and information related to tonight's first round in one handy location. Make this running blog a regular stop from now until late in the night, as we update it with news, videos, photos and plenty more live from the draft floor at First Niagara Center.

It's into the wee morning hours here in Buffalo, and they locked up the doors at First Niagara Center at 1 a.m. The Hurricanes had a busy night, as they made two picks in the first round. Below, you'll find written coverage of both Jake Bean and Julien Gauthier. In addition, here is a collection of videos from the first round.

And in this case, the good thing is talented, young defensemen. The Carolina Hurricanes have that in spades – both with the big club and in the pipeline – and they added another to the mix in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

With the 13th overall pick, the Hurricanes selected Jake Bean from Calgary of the Western Hockey League.

Following his selection at 21st overall, Julien Gauthier spoke with the media -- both in French and English -- about his draft experience and more. Here are some highlights.

On the feeling of being drafted: "I’m so happy about it. I’ll work hard for next season."

On playing with Val-D'Or: "They have done a lot for me. They showed me what winning is."

On who he models his game after: "Rick Nash. I try to model after him. Big guy who can skate and score goals."

The first round of the 2016 NHL Draft is wrapping up now, but we're just getting started on the content side.

CANES SELECT GAUTHIER9:50 p.m.

With the 21st overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes have selected forward Julien Gauthier from Val-D’or of the QMJHL. Gauthier had 41 goals in 54 games this season, and he’s got a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 231 pounds. He competed for Team Canada at the 2016 World Junior Championship, the only 2016 draft-eligible player to do so for his country.

Stay tuned for much more coming your way tonight at First Niagara Center!

NOTABLE QUOTES FROM BEAN9:30 p.m.

The newest member of the Hurricanes organization, defenseman Jake Bean, met with the media shortly after being selected 13th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Here are some highlights from his first NHL scrum.

On being drafted: "It’s pretty special. I’m really grateful for the opportunity. It’s a really cool day or me and my family."

On his game: "I’m a two-way defenseman who can play big minutes against the other team’s top guys. I’m a guy who sees the ice really well and can make a good first pass."

On what he needs to improve: "My biggest thing for me is my strength. In some aspects that’s a good thing because inevitably it will come with growing into my body. With what I’ve been doing, it’s coming. If I can incorporate that into my game, it’s going to help me at the 200-foot level."

On his offensive instincts: "I think it’s come a little bit naturally, but a lot of it has to do with work off the ice, watching video, shooting pucks and developing my basic skills."

On playing with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL: "I’ve been really fortunate. I’m surrounded by a first-class organization from the front office to the coaches, trainers and players. I can’t thank Calgary enough for what they’ve done for me and what they’re going to do for me in the future."

Stay tuned. The Hurricanes will be making another first-round selection very soon!

CANES SELECT BEAN8:45 p.m.

With the 13th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes have selected defenseman Jake Bean from Calgary of the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot, 173-pound blue liner led WHL defensemen with 24 goals, and he tallied 64 points in 68 games. NHL.com’s Mike Morreale said he’s “considered one of the smartest defensemen in the draft.”

Much more coming as the night rolls on, including another pick soon at 21.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING7:00 p.m.

The 2016 NHL Draft begins momentarily. Here's a look at some pre-draft discussions that took place on the floor.

We're less than an hour out from the beginning of the 2016 NHL Draft, and we had the chance to speak with the Hurricanes Director of Amateur Scouting Tony MacDonald. Here's what he had to say.

On narrowing down the potential players available at 13 and 21: "We’re getting to the point where we think we have a feel for a couple of the players that might be there, but things haven’t changed much since we last talked about that. It’s still going to be very difficult to project. We think out of our top 12 guys on our list that we’re going to get one.”

On the unpredictability in the top 10 picks and how that could affect the Canes: "Everybody in the world probably has the first six guys in some order on their list. After that, it’s interesting. There are some very good players there, and it’s going to be a matter of what teams are looking for in terms of their priorities or whether they’re going to try to fill needs or go with the best player.”

On picking twice in the first round: "It’s pretty exciting, especially when we’ve had some years when we didn’t have a first-round pick. ... We certainly believe that if we exercise those two options at 13 and 21, we’re quite sure that we’re going to get two players that we’re going to be happy with.”

ON THE DRAFT FLOOR4:30 p.m.

We're getting settled in at First Niagara Center to bring you full coverage of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft. We'll be delivering all of your written and video updates here in a timely manner, and be sure to follow along on all of our social properties for behind-the-scenes extras. More information on how to follow along this year can be found here.

Whose name do you want to see on the back of this Canes sweater tonight?

HELLO, BUFFALO!1:00 p.m.

The table is literally set for tonight's first-round action, which gets underway at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBCSN. We'll have live updates on it all right here. If you're in Raleigh, be sure to check out tonight's draft party at PNC Arena. John Forslund and Shane Willis are hosting, and there's a free poster giveaway, discounted food and beverage plus much more. The party gets going at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more information.